Process and apparatus for making cans



Dec. 8, 1931. J. F. PETERS 1,835,181-

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CANS;

Filed April 16 1925- I 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 [MEIER v 7 Women 3 BYZWCM Dec. 8, 1931. J. F. mamas 1,835,181

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CANS Filed April 16 1925 5 SheetsSheet '2 q ATTORNEY J. F. PETERS PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 8, 1931.

Filed April 16 1925 2 M/ M I WTTORNEYS Dec. 8, 1931.3 J, PETERS 1,835,181

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CANS Filed April 16 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTO u W V ATTORNEYS Dec. 8, 1931. PETERS 1,835,181

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CANS Filed April 16. 1925 S SheetS-Sheet 5 g lgye TOR lit . employed in one of the steps'of the process;

Patented Dec. 8,, 193i JQlE-[N Ki. ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN CAN COMPANY,

,* OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR IVIAKING GAN$ Application filed April 16, 1925. Serial Ito. 23,477;

This invention relates in general to the manufacture of cans having a tearing strip set ed by score lines and provided with an internal band or collar behind said score lines, whereby removal of the tearing strip provides a closure adapted to fit down over the top of the band and has more particular reference to the provision of a process or method of providing a can of this character.

A principal object of the invention is the provision of a process for making the tearing strip interior collar band can which will perrnit of its practice efficiently and economically in a. line of automatic machines.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a process for making tearing strip internal collar cans, which will require a minimum handling of the materials entering into the finished article and which will permit of the manufacture by full automatic machines from the body maker to the machine of final action.

Another and highly important object of the invention is the production of cans, of the character described, in large quantities, rapidlv and on a full commercial scale.

' Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic layout of the apparatus at present preferred for the practice of my invention, the article produced being shown at different stages of the operation;

Fig. 2 is-a plan view of the can body blank as delivered to said apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a portion of a conveyor and elevator which may be used in transferring the cans from one station to another;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a body maker Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partially in section, of a machine for soldering the side seams of the formed can bodies;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation, partially broken away, of a flanging machine employed in preparing the bodies for the reception of the collar and end members;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a seamer for attaching the bottom end to the cans;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the machine by which the collar bands are formed;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the collar band inserting machine;

Fig. 10 is a partially sectionalized and elevational view of a heading machine by which the1 collars may be secured to the can wall; an

Fig. '11 is a sectional View through the collar before insertion.

Referring first to Fig. 2 of 'the drawings, reference character 3 indicates a body blank provided with two parallel score lines 4 and herringbone scoring 5, this herringbone scoring insuring against departure from the scoreli'nes in the removal of the strip when the can is opened by the consumer. The scored blanks 3 are first fed into a body maker 6, which forms a lock and la seam, indicated at 7 The bodies 9 thus ormed travel down a chute'lO'to a can body elevator 11, from which they are conveyed by a chute (shown schematically at 12) to a hanger 13, which flanges the ends of the body, as indicated at 14. From the flanger, the can bodies pass down a chute 15 to a second elevator 16, which discharges them down a chute 17 to a seaming machine 18 for uniting an end 19 to one end of the body.

From the double seamer, the can bodies 9 pass down a chute 21 to an elevator 22. Between the elevator 22 and the double seamer 18 is located a collar band forming machine 23, which produces the collar band indicated at 24. This collar band is of flat band construction, having its ends overlapped and riveted together at 25 in" the present instance. The collar bands leave the machine 23 down a chute 26 to the elevator 22. The can bodies 9 and collar bands 24 are carried up together by the elevator 22 and pass down a double chute 27 to a collar band inserting machine 28. This machine forces the collar into the body, as indicated at 29. I

The can body, with the band in it, leaves the collar inserting machine, passing down a chute 31 to an elevator 32, which discharges it in a chute 33 for delivery to abeading machine 34, which produces a conjoint bead 35 in the collar. and band and permanently locks the two together.

The various machines shown on the drawings are, or may be those described and claimed in patents and ap lications for patents of the American Can ompany, assignee of this application. They have been heretofore referred to generally in the description of Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings and will now be described somewhat more in detail by reference to Figs. 3 to 10, inclusive.

The first machine in the line is the body maker, illustrated in Fig. 4 and indicated by the reference character 6 in Fig. 1. This machine may be that of Peters Patent No. 1,625,091, granted April 19, 1927, and comprises a frame, consistin primarily of two main parts 55 and 56,the ormer supporting a stack holder 57 and feeding devices, including a sucker arm 58, mechanism being also provided and generally indicated by the reference character 59 for notching the blanks as they are directed across this part of the frame and feed mechanism 61 being adapted to then move said blanks transversely toward a horn or mandrel 62, which is mounted upon the frame part 56 and is provided with various instrumentalities for arranging the blanks in desired position upon the horn, forming hooks upon the'opposite edge thereof engaging said hooked edges and bumping and expanding the same to form a tight seam.

From the body maker, the blanks are directed through a soldering machine, illustrated in Fig. 5 and comprising a horn or mandrel 63, which may be a continuation of the mandrel 62, and suitable fluxing and soldering rolls, indicated respectively by the reference characters 64 and 65, thecan bodies 9 being directed along said horn 63 by means of a belt conveyor 66, which may be driven from any suitable source of power. For a full disclosure of a machine of this character, reference is made to Widell Patent No. 1,338,716, granted May 4, 1920.

From the soldering machine, the formed bodies are directed through the chute 10 and elevated by means of a conveyor, such as that shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, to a position above a body flanging machine, which is shown in Fig. 6 and may be of that type disclosed in Sharp Patent No. 1,104,559, granted July 21, 1914. The elevator, as shown in Fig. 3, comprises a belt 67, taking over pulleys 68 and 69 and cooperating with a guide 71 to position the cans in the chute 12, through which they are directed to the Hanger. The chute and elevator construction may be substantially identical between the various machines adapted to operate upon the cans after the bodies are formed and I have, therefore, illustrated only a single such construction, it being understood that the elevators are used in the manner and positions generally shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now to Fig. 6, it will be observed that the can bodies 9 are delivered from the chute 12 into the pockets of a turret by which they are arranged in the sphere of action of flanging dies 72 mounted upon reciprocating shafts 73, journaled in brackets 74 upon a frame 75 and operated by levers 76 in any preferred manner, the details of a construction suitable for this purpose being shown in Rudolphi Patent No. 1,055,418, granted.

March 11, 1913. The action of the flanging dies slightly widens the ends of the can.

From the flanging machine, the cans are directed by the chute 15, elevator 16 and chute 17 to a seaming machine, indicated generally by the reference character 18 in Fig. 1 and illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings. This machine is for the purpose of placing a bottom end on the can body 9 and comprises a frame 77, in which is mounted a turret 78, carried upon a shaft 79, driven from a pulley 81 and adapted to arrange the cans in the sphere of action of suitable cooperating axially arranged chucks and seaming rollers, indicated respectively by the reference characters 82 and 83, the ends 84 being supplied by suitable feeding mechanism from a chute 85. The double seamer may be of the six spindle type, either as shown in Widell Patent No. 1,452,947, granted April 24, 1923, or Rudolphi Patent No. 1,023,039, granted April 9, 1912.

From the double seamer, the cans are directed to a collar band inserting machine, shown in Fig. 9 and identified by the reference character 28 in Fig. 1, and a collar band forming machine, such as that of Widell Patent 1,731,478, granted October 15, 1929, is arranged in the line in advance of said collar band inserting machine and will next be described. The collar formed by this machine is curled in slightly or reduced in diameter at its edges as indicated at 80 in Fig. 11. The overlappin ends of the stI'i forming the band are riveted together as indicated at 90 in this figure.

The band forming machine is illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings and comprises a horn 86, mounted upon a frame 87 and provided with suitable feeding mechanism 88, mechanism being arranged along said horn to arrange the ends in overlapped relationship and secure them together, the attachment in the present instance being effected by means of integral rivets, as shown at 25 in Fig. 1.

The cans and collars are next fed in axial alignment through the elevator 22 and chute 27 (with which is arranged a supplemental chute 89 for the collars) to the collar band inserting machine, which is particularly illustrated in Fig. 9. This machine may be that of Peters application Serial No. 666,468, filed October a, 1923, and comprises a turret mounted upon a shaft 91, journaled in uprights 92 on a frame 93, said shaft being driven by means of a pulley 94 on one end thereof and having mounted thereon in addi tion to the turret, a large disk 95, adapted to hold the cans 9 in the pockets of the turret, and inserting mechanism, comprising chucks 96 mounted on reciprocating shafts 97, having yokes 98 at their rear ends, which are provided with rollers 99, engaging in a groove 101 of a cam 102, the construction and operation being such as to force the collar into the widened mouth of the can in predetermined and exact relationship, while at the same time rounding up said parts for subsequent action thereon of a beading machine by which the collars are permanently locked within the cans.

This beading machine (Fig. 10) may be in accordance with Peters Patent No. 1,773,854, granted August 26, 1930, and consists of a frame 103, upon which is mounted a conveyor section 101, through which the cans and inserted collars pass and from which they are inserted between beading dies by means of a reciprocating chuck 105, the dies being indicated by the reference characters 106 and 107 I and being adapted to be respectively expandtil) ed and contracted by means of eccentric mechanism mounted upon a power shaft 108 and cooperating parts which are fully described and illustrated in said Peters patent.

After the collar has been locked in place by means of the bead 35, as shown in Fig. 1, the cans may be directed through suitable conveyor mechanism to a point of disposition, such as a freightcar, it being contemplated that the machinery just described shall be arranged in a continuous line, capable of high speed and quantity production.

It will be understood that the storage run for cans in transit from one mechanism to another is of substantial length admitting the supply of successive bodies to the second mechanism in case of failure of the first mechanism.

The particular construction of the machines illustrated form no part of the present invention and, obviously, other and different machines accomplishing the results sought may be substituted for those shown in the drawings.

. It will be readily apparent that the practice of this process requires relatively little manual labor and that from the body maker to the beading machine, no handlin of the can body itself, or the collar after orming, is required.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it W111 be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim: I

1. The process of making cans having a tearing strip set ofl by score lines and adapted to be removed to open the can and having a band or collar arranged in the can behind said tearing strip, which comprises, provid- "215 ing a blank having a tearing strip defined by score lines, forming the blank into a body, forming the collar, moving the body and collar to the collar assembling station, and inserting the collar entirely within the body. to

2. The rocess of making cans having atearing strip set off by score lines and adapted to be removed to open the can and having a band or collar arranged in the can behind said tearing strip, which comprises, providing a5 a blank having a tearing strip defined by score lines forming the blank into a body, forming the collar, moving the body and collar to the collar assembling station, inserting the collar entirely within the body, and lockto ing said collar and body together.

3. The process of making cans having a tearing strip set 0d by score lines and adapt ed to be removed to open the can and having a band or collar arranged in the can behind 5 said tearing strip, which comprises, providing a scored blank, forming the blank into a body, securingan end to the body, forming a collar or band, moving said collar or band and said body to a collar band inserting Ina- 1 0 chine, and inserting said band entirely in said body.

4. The process of making cans having a tearing strip set off by score'lines and adapted to be removed to open the can and having a band or collar arranged in the can behind said tear-ing strip, which comprises, providing a scored blank, forming the blank into a body, flanging said body, securing an end to said body, forming a collar, arranging said body and collar at a collar bandinserting machine, and inserting a band entirely in said body.

5. The process of making cans having :1 tearing strip set off by score lines and adapt- 1 5 ed to be removed to open the can and having a band or collar arranged in the can behind said tearing strip, which comprises, forming the body, inserting the band entirely in thebody, and mutually beading the two to lock said band in place.

6. The process of making cans having a tearing strip set off by score lines and adapted to be removed to open the: can and having a' band or collar arranged in the can behind said tearing strip, which consists in forming a can body, and then automatically transferring said body from station to station, flanging the body, forming a collar or band,

and inserting said collar or band within the bod said operations being automatically peri brmed at successive stations in a line of connected machines.

7 The process of making cans havlng a tearing strip set ofi by score lines and adapted to be removed to open the can and having a band or collar arranged in the can behind said tearing strip, which consists in forming a can body and then automatically transferring said body from station to station, flanging the body, applying an end to sald body, forming a collar or band, and inserting said collar or band within the body, said operations being automatically performed at successive stations in a line of connected machines.

8. The process of making cans having a tearing strip set off by score lines and adapted to be removed to open the can and having a band or collar arranged in the can behind said tearing strip, which consists in forming 'a can body and then automatically transferring said body from station to station, fianging the body, forming a collar or band, insertin said collar or band within the body, and locking the collar and body together, said operations being automatically performed at successive stations in a line of connected machines.

9. Apparatus for making cans having a tearing strip set off by scbre lines and adapted to be removed to open the can and having a band or collar arranged in the can behind said tearing strip, comprising a body maker, a flanging machine, a closing machine for applying an end to the body, a collar band forming machine, a collar band inserting machine, and a beading machine for connecting the collar band to the body, all said machines being arranged in a connected line and adapted to produce finished cans by successive operations upon the blanks as the latter are automatically fed alon the line.

10. A machine or inserting and securing short annular sheet metal collars in cylindrical sheet metal can bodies, comprising means for positioning a collar in axial alinement with an open end of a body, means then acting to move the collar axially and insert it within the body with the outward edges of the collar and body substantially in alinement, and means then acting to bead crease the inner margin of the collar and simultaneously crease the body wall to lock the collar in the body.

11. A machine for inserting and securing short annular sheet metal collars in oylindri cal sheet metal can bodies, comprising means i for automatically inserting the collars in successive bodies with outer collar and body edges substantially flush, means for holding the successive bodies externally, and creasing means adapted to enter tie successive bodies and produce complemental bead creases in the inward collar margins and body walls while the bodies are held to withstand the creasing pressure.

12. A machine for inserting and securing short annular sheet metal collars in cylindrical sheet metal can bodies, comprising means for positioning collars in axial allnement with the open ends of successive bodies, means for inserting the collars within the bodies, means for positioning the bodies with inserted collars in movable holders, and means acting while the successive bodies are secured in the holders to produce retaining bead creases in the inner collar margins and body walls.

13. A machine of the character described, comprising means for positioning successive tubular bodies and collars with a collar in approximate alinement and spaced relation to each body, means acting to insert the successive collars in their respective bodies, and means acting to produce interlocking beads in the collars and bodies and thus secure them together.

14. A machine of the character described, comprising means for feeding tubular bodies and collars, rotary mechanism having holders for successive bodies and collars in alined relation, means acting during rotation of said mechanism to insert the collars in the respective bodies, other rotary mechanism having holders to which the collared bodies are delivered, and included in said mechanism means for clinching the collars in the succes sive bodies.

15. A machine of the character described, comprising means for positioning successive tubular bodies and collars with a collar in approximate alinement and spaced relation to each body, means acting to insert the successive collars in their respective bodies, means'acting to produce complemental bead creases to secure the collars therein, and means for then ejecting the bodies.

16. A machine of the character described, comprising mechanism for inserting collars in successive tubular bodies, mechanism for clinching the collars in the successive bodies, and a storage run between said mechanisms for conveying the collared bodies from the first to the second mechanism.

17. A machine of the character described, comprising mechanism for inserting collars in successive tubular bodies, mechanism for clinching the collars in the successive bodies, and a storage run between said mechanism for conveying the collared bodies from the first to the second mechanism, said storage run bein of substantial length admitting the supply of successive collared bodies to the second mechanism in case of failure of the first mechanism to supply the collared bodies to the storage run.

18. A machine of the character described, comprisin mechanism for inserting collars in successive tubular bodies, mechanism for Jim clinching the collars in the successive bodies, a storage run between said mechanisms for conveying the collared bodies from the first to they second mechanism, and said storage run comprising an elevati g conveyor to ele' vate successive collared odies for gravity feed to said second mechanism.

' 19. A machine of the character described, comprising mechanism for inserting'collars in successive tubular bodies, mechanism for forming bead creases to secure the collars in the successive bodies, and means for driving said mechanisms concurrently.

20. A machine of the character described. comprising mechanismfor inserting collars in successive tubular bodies mechanism for clinching the collars in the successive bodies, and conveying means for transferring the collared bodies from the first to the second of said mechanisms, said means including means for elevating bodies to provide a gravity feed to said second mechanism.

21. A machine of the character described, comprising mechanism for inserting collars in successive tubular bodies, mechanism for clinching the collars in the successive bodies,

conveyin means for transferring the collared bo ies from the first to the second of said mechanisms, said means includin means for elevating bodies to provide a 'gravity feed to said second mechanism, and also providing for the movement of a substantial number of the collared bodies between said mechanisms.

22. The process of making cans having a tearing strip set oil by score lines and adapted to be removed to open the can and having a band or collar arranged in the can behind said tearing strip, which com rises forming the can body to general cylindrical form, widening an end of the formed body, and inserdting a formed collar through said widened a tapered end, flanging the can body, insertmg the tapered end in the body and forcing .the collar memberintothe body, and therewith an end tapered, and inwardly insertingsaidv end in the flange opening of the bod whereby the two members first meet throug the engagement of rounded surfaces, and moving the collar member into the body.

27. The process of making cans having a tearing strip set ofi by score lines and adapted to be removed to open the can and having a band or collar arranged within the can behind said tearing strip, which comprises,

forming a can body, forming a collar with a narrowed edge, and positioning the collar within the can body by inserting its narrowed edge into the body and pushing it into position.

28. The process of makin cans having a tearing strip set off by score ines and adapted to be removed to open the can and havlng a band or collar arranged within the can behind said tearing strip, which comprises forming a can body, forming a collar with a narrowed edge, and relatively moving the body and collar to first insert the narrowed edge into the body and thenbring their parts to final arrangement.

JOHN F. PETERS.

24. The process of making'cans, which comprises,makin acan body, nging out an open end thereo making a separate collar member and forcing it into the flanged end of the body until the entire collar member is past said flange, and thereby making the can capable of being filled through said collar and with a flange for double seaming.

25. The process of making cans, which comprises, constructing a can body constructing a separate open collar member of outside diameter substantially equal with the internal diameter of the body and with I 

